Improvement in roller-skates



UNITED STAT JOHN L. BOONE, OF SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA, ASSIGNOR TO H-IMSELF AND MILTON A. WHEATON, OF SAME PLACE.

IMPROVEMENT IN ROLLERSKATES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 120,147, dated October 24, 1871; antedated October 3, 1871.

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN L. BOONE, of the city and county of San Francisco, State of California,

have invented an Improvement in Skates; and I do hereby declare the following description and accompanying drawing are suliicient to enable any person skilled in the art or sciencel to which it most nearly appertains to make and use my said invention or improvements Without further inventionor experiment.

My invention relates more particularly to parlor or roller-skates; and it consists in the einployment of longitudinal side springs as a support for the feet ofthe skater in place or' the ordinary block or foot-stand. These springs are connected with the axle upon which the wheels revolve in such a manner as to cause the wheels to turn to the propel' position to run the skate in a curved line to the right or left by the turning ofthe foot of the skater, so as to depress the spring upon the side which it is desired to run the skate. It also consists in an improved arrangement of the parts of the skates in order to transmit the proper motion from the springs to the axles .to turn them to the proper position.

In order to explain my invention reference is had to the accompanying drawingibrmin g a part of this speciiication, in which- A represents the front and B the rear of a parlor or roller-skate, upon the ends of which the wheels or rollers C revolve. These axles are cast or otherwise formed with a spindle, d, projecting upward from their middles, a shoulder, e, being left near the base of the spindle, as shown. A metal bolster, F, is then cast with a hub, g, and arms Il.. The hub g has a hole through it ot' sui'- ticient size to permit the spindle cl to pass up through it until the lower end of the hub bears upon the shoulder e. The spindle then can be secured in place by a rivet passing through its upper end above the bolster, or by other equivalent means, which will permit the axle to turn independent of the bolster. The arms la extend to each side of the hub above the wheels. The front and rear holsters are then united by two springs, G G, the ends of which are secured to the arms h above each wheel, so as to pass along each side of the foot, and serve as a support for the feet of the skater. These springs are here represented as having their ends curved into the form known as C springs 5 but they can be formed into various curves 5 or the simple straight spring can be used, as desired. The springs are also shown as conforming to the shape or curve of the side ofthe foot which is to rest upon them, which is preferable; but they can also be made straight, if desired. are secured to the arms by means of rivets, or otherwise, so that the bolster can turn slightly', if' required; or, if4 desired, rigid side pieces can be employed, which rest at each -end upon a cushion or spring. The axles A .B are united by a reach, I, which is jointed in the middle, so as to allow its center to be thrown from side to side to give direction to the rollers. A forked leverbar, J, has one end split and the parts separated,

as shown. The two arms thus formed are then secured to the under side of the spring G about their middle, an elastic or half-round washer, k, being inserted between them and the springs. This bar is then bent forward until it approaches the front axle A. The opposite or forward end or this bar is also slotted sufciently to allow it to straddle the reach. Thus, when one of the springs is depressed by the weight of the skater, the slotted or lower end of the bar J will be thrown in an opposite direction, carrying the hinged reach to one side, and also turning the axle to the proper position tocause the wheels to run in a curve.

The springs G provide an easy and elastic support for Vthe skater', and by throwing his weight to either side the spring upon that side will be depressed vertically, and the opposite one elevated, so as to cause the bar J to carry the axles A B and wheels C to a position suitable for running the-skates in a curved line.` The direct upand-down movement of the side springs gives a much more easy and pleasant movement to the skates than when the axles are united by a block, especially when the licor upon which they move is rough or uneven. Besides, on account of the elasticity and flexibility of the support, the feet ofthe skater do not become tired and cramped. The skate can alsobe made much lighter than when the block is employed.

Various devices may be employed for connecting the axles with the springs in order to turn them to the curving position; but

What I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

l. The longitudinal side springs G, secured to The ends of these springs the arms h of the bolster I so as to connect the hinged reach I, all arranged substantially as and two axles A and B, substantially as and for the for the purpose set forth.

purpose above described. In Witness that the above-described invention 2. The axles A and B With their spindles d, is claimed by me I have hereunto set my hand in combination With the hub g having the arms and seal.

h and the springs G G, all arranged and operat- JOHN L. BOONE. [L s] ed substantially as and for the purpose described. Witnesses:

3. Theforkedlever J, constructed as described, WM. H. BUNNELS,

in combination with the springs G G and thev GEO. H. STRONG. (14.3) 

